Jayson Tatum Gets Some Encouragement From The Greatest Celtic

Former Duke star Jayson Tatum had a great moment for himself and the Boston Celtics when he won the first Larry Bird Eastern Conference Finals Award Sunday. It won’t always go to a Celtic, obviously, but the first one? That really is kind of cool.

You know what would be even cooler?

Getting the Bill Russell Award.

Presented to the Finals MVP, it would signal Tatum’s total ascent to the top of the sport. And you know who wants to see him get it?

Bill Russell.

With Red Auerbach gone since 2006, Russell is the de facto elder statesman and patriarch of the legendary franchise. And he tweeted this to Tatum: Congratulations to the #EasternConferenceFinals champions @celtics & to #JasonTatum for receiving the 1st ever LarryBird #ECFmvp award. Maybe soon the #BillRussellFinalsMVP award.

That’s really wonderful.

Not so wonderful?

Some Warriors fans, hoping to stir things up, dug up a tweet that Tatum did saying that Jabari Parker was better than Andrew Wiggins.

This was in 2012.

We understand finding stuff you can use - we’re Duke fans, come on - but Tatum was 14 when he made that tweet. It’s really kind of silly. Paying attention to someone - just about anyone - who tweeted at 14 is pointless. Tatum can take care of himself, but a lot of people don’t share his station. It’s just bad form.

• Kobe Bryant would be proud of Jayson Tatum’s resume.
• Jayson Tatum responds to Bill Russell’s challenge ahead of the Finals. Warlords
• “Hope They Win It All”: Jayson Tatum’s 4 Word Text Message to Kobe Bryant Ahead of Celtics Win Leaves NBA Fans Emotional
• Jayson Tatum is one of the best, according to Steve Kerr.
• Jayson Tatum Shares Heartfelt Message With Boston Celtics Fans Ahead of NBA Finals Debut On Thursday: “Dreamed Of Moments Like This”
• Former NBA Champion, Who Played for the Celtics, Believes Jayson Tatum Will Not Be the Most Important Player in the Finals for Boston
• Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown’s defense by Andrew Wiggins
• Jayson Tatum speaks candidly about the season’s “toughest moment.”
• Here’s What Jayson Tatum Said After Game 7
• Warriors: Stephen Curry Jayson Tatum ‘problem’ ahead of NBA Finals
• Jayson Tatum’s mom shares hilarious story from Celtics-Heat Game 7
• Jayson Tatum’s Bold Statement After Game 7
• Prior to the NBA Finals, Stephen Curry and Jayson Tatum had a ‘problem.’
• Celtics news: Jayson Tatum gets honest on ‘toughest moment’ of season
• Boston’s Jayson Tatum opens up about winning the first Larry Bird East finals MVP award
• If Tatum leads Celtics to championship, Celtics should reward him with exhibition game in St. Louis
• Celtics’ Jayson Tatum Named Eastern Conference Finals MVP
• Warriors fans are tearing up Jayson Tatum for his brutal Andrew Wiggins takedown.